Thank you! This is very encouraging! I will try sending it to my local papers. Though I think it`s a lot better from a gramatical point of view in my original language...the english version needs *much* plucking!lol
Lilycurly
JoinedPosts by Lilycurly
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Want to publish article in journal...
by Lilycurly ini was doing my chores today and started thinking about what i could write about being an ex-jw id i wrote for a journal....and it got me thinking...do local news-papers generaly allow random people to write for them?
and of so, would they allow something about a religious groupe?
anyway, i started to write furiously when i finished vacuuming!
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Want to publish article in journal...
by Lilycurly ini was doing my chores today and started thinking about what i could write about being an ex-jw id i wrote for a journal....and it got me thinking...do local news-papers generaly allow random people to write for them?
and of so, would they allow something about a religious groupe?
anyway, i started to write furiously when i finished vacuuming!
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Lilycurly
I was doing my chores today and started thinking about what I could write about being an ex-JW id I wrote for a journal....and it got me thinking...do local news-papers generaly allow random people to write for them? And of so, would they allow something about a religious groupe? Anyway, I started to write furiously when I finished vacuuming! Here's what came out...I feel like sharing.:)
(translation from French...)
Beware!! Jehovah`s Witnesses.
Saturday morning, 10:30 am, someone is ringing at your door. You didn`t expect anyone but you open the door, still a bit sleeping and are greated smiling, well dressed strangers, maybe accompagnied by a child. These men, women, small families that are apparently perfect talk to you about the tragic events that happen in the world, ask you questions, show interest and end up sharing with you this hope they have to one day live on a new world on earth. No more suffering, no more death, no more tears, this is what they are promised. You are offered litterature about that subject, they are free, and these people at your door are so friendly and polite, they seem so convinced, and you accept.
But beware! Behind that harmless and sympathic exterior are things that can`t be imagined by people who don`t know much about that religion. I still ask myself how different my family`s life would have been if my father hadn`t open the door about 20 years ago. At that time, he was a young father who was rather interested in anything religious. He wasn`t satisfied with the one he had been brought up with, so he did a lot of research. Then, when I was about a year old, came a man and a woman who changed our family forever. They answered all his questions with an apparent ease and a mather of factly. Making it look like they had evidently found the absolute and wonderful thruth leading to happiness, meaningful life and happy family. My father, an intelligent man, accepted all they said alarmingly fast, and my mother, still very young and not knowing much about that religious reluctantly decided to follow to keep her marriage and little family united.
Years after and three children later, she realised that she could not continue like this. The Jehovah`s Witnesses are not your regular religious organisation, they are more like a way of life. A multitude of little rules that find there way in every domain of your life even the more intimates, disguised as mathers of conscience. It is impossible to lead this life only to please someone. Sadly, I did not follow her exemple and commited the act I would regret for the rest of my life. At 21 years old, I was baptised as a Jehovah`s witness. A few years later though, I decide to make researches on the religion I had chosen, like my father had done so many years ago. I then decided to quit. But with this group, you do not just leave. A letter must be written to the leaders if you don`t want to still be known as an inactive member. So I did write one, I very politely explained my reasons and said I didn`t want to be known as one of them anymore. Today, I am not allowed to talk, or have any contact with my father. For him, it should be as if I am dead. Sadly, I am not the only ex-witness that has to live with that family tragedy. The internet is full of emotional dramas, sometimes worst then what we are living. This very un-christian rule destroyed hundreds of families since the beginings of the group, about 100 years ago by a man calle Pastor Charles Tazz Russell.
These people at your door that look so enthousiast and so happy, are people like you and me, who are not perfect, but who are expected to assist to a weekly five hours of meetings. Children and adults learn to answer any questions that people might ask, and repeat the teachings dispensed by the WatchTower Society of New York. Every single thing that is written by these American men is viewed as untouchable. A good Jehovah`s Witness will never question or critisize what is said. He accepts it and tell himself he will understand when the time comes. Researches are limited to books written by the Society or approved by them. Maybe are they smart enough to realise that people like me who make actual searches without the restrictions will soon find the true nature of what they call `The Thruth`. Their past is full of false and failed propheties about the end of the world, changing dogma that has cost the lives to thousands of men, women and children. (Like what is still happening with their refusing blood transfusions today.) What is even more tragic is that once they are completly endoctrinated, few of them accept to open their eyes again. They are trained with beautiful promises and loving words to keep themselves locked in. The vast majority of them do not know and do not want to know that, for exemple, not so long ago, they were prohibited from taking vaccins and organ transplants.(wich were considered as sinful as cannibalism). This restriction that would seem laughable to any of them today, was a very serious and very strict one just a few decades ago. To them, it was based on the Bible and one who would contradict that rule would see himself disfellowshiped, (the worst thing that can happen to you if you are a jehovah`s Witness.) These facts, amongst many others opened my eyes. I could not continue to be of this organization.
Today, I often think of all the children, amongst them my two little brothers, who are constantly told by their parents that the world is a depraved, disgusting place. That, instead of fairy tales every night, are read stories that often end with the destruction of all humankind (expect, of course, for them, faithful servants of Jehovah.) These kids who will never see a Chrsitmas tree but the ones at shopping centers, that will never dress up for Halloween or blow candles on a birthday cake. That are taught from their youth to not have goals in this world that will soon be destroyed.
And I hope, I really do hope that when they grow up, they will allow themselves to see. That we, who are now out, we are not, like they are told, vile and lying apostates that are out to crush their spirituality.
I hope that people who will answer their doors next Saturday morning, will not be deceived by looks. That they will make serious researches before they even think to get involved with an organization, as beautiful as it may seem.
(Various links to ex-JW sites)
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Anyone involved in the Pioneer Assist Program?
by misspeaches ini remember when they brought out the new program of pioneer assist.
it appeared that everyone thought it was a marvellous idea.
was anyone invovled in it?
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Lilycurly
The moment I heard that "loving arrangement" made from the stage, I just knew for sure that they would assign someone to help me. Not that I didn't make good hours, but I was always the shy girl who needed to go out more, and to make more return visits.
It was not a very pleasant experience, the pionner sister they assigned to me made me go out on week-days after school (and it was winter time) and she had a baby, and we were mostly alone all of the time. *shudder* Really a waste of good youth time.
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The other people
by startingover inwhen i first read this, i had an epiphany.
i decided right then and there that if the bible is from some divine being(s), then i am definitely one the the "other people" and none of what is contained in it applies to me.. .
http://www.silvercircle.org/merlinsarchive/ma_zell.htm.
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Lilycurly
I know, I went to the home page and most of the rest is written in some other language, anyone has a clue of what it is? Anyway, I Googled the author to find more of this kind of stuff. Very entertaining.:P
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The other people
by startingover inwhen i first read this, i had an epiphany.
i decided right then and there that if the bible is from some divine being(s), then i am definitely one the the "other people" and none of what is contained in it applies to me.. .
http://www.silvercircle.org/merlinsarchive/ma_zell.htm.
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Lilycurly
I think, maybe, that Oberon *is* really very serious about it. The guy says he has sucessfully bred unicorns, afterall.
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The other people
by startingover inwhen i first read this, i had an epiphany.
i decided right then and there that if the bible is from some divine being(s), then i am definitely one the the "other people" and none of what is contained in it applies to me.. .
http://www.silvercircle.org/merlinsarchive/ma_zell.htm.
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Lilycurly
That's fascinating. I have read some of Oberon Zell's books and writtings but this is the first time I see this....I've got lots to think about. It's strangely logic....
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JW Unity, Phony Questions, and The Watchtower Study
by VM44 inhere is an excellent page at randy's freeminds site: http://www.freeminds.org/psych/boast.htm.
united in christ?
what to say when cults boast of their unity .
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Lilycurly
Unity! Pff! I really thought they might really have the same teachings and same ideas all around, but they can't even agree in the same congo.
My father asked the elders if he could still talk to me now that I'm DAed, and three said he couldn't while the one said he could, since I could be considered "close family circle". My dad had to write to the WT to ask, he is still waiting for an answer...
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What 'pranks' did you pull off?
by Golf insince nate merit has already enumerated some of his pranks, how about sharing your pranks/mischief?
this forum could do with some laughter.
in my school days (50's) my buddy and i were always into mischief (witness or not.
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Lilycurly
Why, I thought it was simple enough...what you put up, you put down! Of course it would be easier to do it ourself then to nag, but it`s a principle thing, you see. Next thing you know we are gonna pick up dirty socks off the ground.
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What 'pranks' did you pull off?
by Golf insince nate merit has already enumerated some of his pranks, how about sharing your pranks/mischief?
this forum could do with some laughter.
in my school days (50's) my buddy and i were always into mischief (witness or not.
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Lilycurly
There's this mean one that I had heard somewhere but never dared to try:Put a big piece of saran-wrap on the toilet bowl...you know, just under the seat that guys never put down. I leave the results to your imagination. My sister and I always made up the craziest scenarios where someone would run in and have the worst case of explosive diarrhea on that prank.
There is also that one to do in a public bathroom (again with peanut butter) You just put a big slop of peanut butter on a piece of toilet paper, wait till someone gets in the stall next to you and drop the thing with a big Oops! Make sure it lends near (even better ON) the feet of the person and enjoy.lol
PS. Sorry to those who are currently eating.
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My first time being shunned in public
by xjwms inso thats what it feels like.. i am not df'ed or da'ed, ... i have just stopped going to meetings.
my wife is trying to be as active as she can.. so all morning i am out of my regular routine.
late getting out of bed and late about everything today.. so i leave the house, and before getting to the office, i decide to stop at the mall for a quick, maybe 15 min, walk.. as soon as i get inside, taking my coat off, here is the elder who did everything he could in his power to get me out...and lied...and added to gossip that ran me outta there.. he and his wife spot me .. and turn there heads away and continue on their walk, .. eyes fixed on some thing away from me.. so thats what it feels like.........now i know.
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Lilycurly
It never happenned to me yet...but I'm waiting for it. I know I'm gonna smile right back at their frown, if they do meet my eyes. And if not I will make sure they hear me laugh to myself in a "tskk, I pity you poor people" little laugh. If I'm with someone, I plan on making sure to talk to that friend loudly (be sure that the shunners hear me and realise that people around are listening too.) of who those people are and why they are running away. Always up for a good witness, I am.